Vatnajokull, covering 8100 sq km, is the largest glacier in Iceland, and indeed in all of Europe. The ice of this massive remnant of the Ice Age reaches a depth of 900m. We see here one of its 30 outlet glaciers. You can clearly observe that a glacier is a meandering river of ice, travelling under gravity, gradient and its own compression. We can also clearly see the glacial striation, and note how dirty glacial ice is - sediment and debris accumulate as the glacier proceeds, becoming dirtiest at the ablation zone. The waters pouring off glaciers carry the characteristic blue-grey hue of “rock flour.”

The cold fresh water from the glacier gives birth to a river which carries small icebergs from the ablation zone towards the Atlantic Ocean. A mysterious scene is created as larger mounds of ice break off from the Breidamerkurjokull glacial tongue of Vatnajokull, are tumbled, broken down and carried to the ocean shore, where they form the crystalline Diamond Beach. The ice jewels here far eclipse the artistry of any human craftsman. The eerie of mist which enshrouds the lagoon is created as the warmer Atlantic air meets the frigid water pouring down from the glacier.

The area is also remarkable for the braided rivers coming off the glaciers. Braiding of rivers is caused by high loads of sediment and discharge which varies in intensity – therefore they are common in, but not restricted to, glacial areas. True braided rivers are said to be present only in Iceland, Canada, Alaska, the Himalayas, and New Zealand’s South Island.

Vatnajokull National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its numerous geological and glacial features - glaciers, waterfalls (most famously Dettifoss and Svartifoss), ice caves, volcanoes, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. Vatnajokull lies atop volcanic structures, which cause a shifting in the depth of the ice; volcanoes that erupt underneath glaciers create vast amounts of steam and meltwater, as well as clouds of noxious gases. The Park is a wonderland for hiking, climbing and adventure sports. Diamond Beach or Breidamerkursandur in southeast Iceland can be accessed easily from the town of Vik (2.5 hours from Reykjavik).

Atlantsflug, a local airline flying from Skaftafell Airport, offers spectacular flights over the glacier and surrounding region. If you book your flight through their website, use the code DOWNRIVER5 to receive a 5% discount if you book through their website, and mention that you read about them on www.downriveranduphill.ca